Public Image Limited, Boy George, Simple Minds, Heaven 17 and others to celebrate with London gigs, as well as exhibition, book, compilation albums and documentary

Virgin Records is 40 years old this year, and the label have got a range of events and releases planned to mark the anniversary of Richard Branson founding the label in 1973.

First up is a suite of gigs by Virgin alumni and present signees that will be taking place across London in October and November. Names catching our eye include Public Image Limited, Boy George, Simple Minds and Martyn Ware presenting Heaven 17 - take a look at the full line-up above.

As well as the live shows, there's a pretty exhaustive line-up of celebrations: first up is the Virgin 40 exhibition, taking in photos, videos and memorabilia from the label's archives, taking place on Southampton Row in west London from October 24.

Music journalist Adrian Thrills will be editing a commemorative book, including contributions from a huge number of writers, including Quietus contributor Jude Rogers, alongside Jon Savage, Andrew Harrison, Silvia Patterson and others.

There'll be a double-disc compilation, featuring some of the best material released on the label over its lifetime on one disc, with covers of other tracks by its current roster on the second, as well as individual best ofs for each of its four decades.

Finally, filmmaker Paul Tilzey will be making a documentary - stay tuned for details of its broadcast.

Additionally, all events will be sponsored by the charity War Child; for full details and tickets, head to the Virgin 40 website.

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